Ward Family Heart Center Procedures

Nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report

Each year, hundreds of families choose to trust Children’s Mercy with their child’s heart care. Our experienced team members take pride in providing the very best care, personalized to each child’s unique needs.

We do all types of cardiovascular surgeries, cardiac catheterization procedures, and electrophysiology studies and procedures. At the Heart Center, we care for some of the most complex kids with survival rates that often surpass the national average.

Heart experts working together for you

Children’s Mercy delivers a coordinated care experience, from the time of diagnosis through treatment and follow-up care. We have the latest testing methods and surgical techniques for all types of heart conditions.

Within the Heart Center, we have designated surgeons, interventional cardiologists, electrophysiologists, anesthesiologists, perfusionists, nurses, and operating room staff who are dedicated to this special population. You can be confident that the entire care team is experienced and knowledgeable in caring for your child’s heart condition.

In addition to excellent medical care, we also provide comprehensive care for your child and your entire family through our THRIVE team. This team connects you with support services from our Child Life specialists, social workers, psychologists, spiritual care team, and other wellness resources.

More updates, more often from the operating room

While your child is in the operating room, we have a dedicated nursing team that will provide ongoing communication during the procedure.

In addition to these updates, we now offer EASE, an app that can be downloaded to your smartphone to provide additional updates while your child is in surgery. These text message updates are sent from the operating room and can be shared with designated family and friends, thus enhancing your support system and surgical experience.

Highest Level of Surgical Care

Children’s Mercy is one of only 10 centers in the nation to be verified as a Level 1 Children’s Surgery Center — the highest possible rating — by the American College of Surgeons.

What to Expect - Heart Surgery

Each year, hundreds of families choose to trust Children’s Mercy with their child’s heart surgery. Our experienced surgical team and support staff take pride in providing the very best care, personalized to each child’s unique needs.

What to Expect - Electrophysiology Study

The Electrophysiology (EP) team can examine your child’s heart to identify—and in some cases, treat—abnormal pathways in the electrical system of the heart. EP studies are done under anesthesia and attended by pediatric anesthesiologists to ensure your child is safe and comfortable the whole time.

Stories

Heart Transplant: Hannah's Story

Fifteen year old Hannah could pretend her heart wasn’t a problem during marching band practice by “fake playing” as she paraded around the field. But eventually, the cardiomyopathy that plagued her family forced her off the field and into a hospital bed. There, she could only wait for a donor heart to save her life. Hannah became the first heart-transplant patient at Children's Mercy.